Dégué (Burkinabe Sweet Millet and Yogurt)
In short: Fluffy steamed millet couscous folded into sweetened yogurt with vanilla and nutmeg, a chilled dessert served at celebrations in Burkina Faso. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Dégué, also spelled dèguè, is a cold, creamy dessert from Burkina Faso: fluffy steamed millet couscous folded into sweetened yogurt and scented with vanilla and nutmeg. It is served at celebrations and on hot afternoons, spooned from a shared bowl or into cups. Similar millet and yogurt sweets are made across West Africa, such as the Senegalese thiakry. It is easy to make, and it improves after a good chill.
Instructions
- Put the arraw in a bowl, sprinkle with the cold water and rub it between your fingers to break up any lumps. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Line a steamer basket with a clean cloth and spread the millet in it. Steam over boiling water for 20 minutes, until the grains are tender. Taste a few to check.
- Tip the millet into a wide bowl, fluff it with a fork and let it cool completely.
- Whisk the yogurt, cold milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl until smooth and the sugar dissolves.
- Fold the cooled millet and the raisins into the yogurt mixture. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Stir in a splash of cold milk to loosen it, then spoon into bowls or cups and serve cold.
Tips
- Arraw (millet couscous) is sold at African grocers and online. Regular couscous, prepared as the package directs, is an easy substitute, though it is not gluten-free.
- Use thick, tangy yogurt for the most authentic flavor. If your yogurt is very tart, add a tablespoon more sugar. Keep it very cold, since dégué tastes best chilled.
Questions and answers
What is dégué?
Dégué, also spelled dèguè, is a chilled dessert of steamed millet couscous mixed with sweetened yogurt or soured milk. Similar millet and yogurt sweets are made across West Africa.
Can I make dégué ahead?
Yes. Mix it up to 6 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. The millet soaks up liquid, so loosen it with cold milk before serving.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Use unsweetened coconut or soy yogurt and a plant milk. The flavor will be different, but the dessert will still be creamy.
How long does it take to make Dégué (Burkinabe Sweet Millet and Yogurt)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dégué (Burkinabe Sweet Millet and Yogurt)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
